UQ student outrage over $15,000 worth of funds put toward boat party

Leaked documents have revealed how the powerful University of Queensland Union spent $165,000 on a toga party along with thousands on llamas, ice creams and a boat.

The University of Queensland Union spent $6800 on a llama and ice cream party.

The University of Queensland Union budgeted $15,000 for a boat party for Club and Society Executives and spent $6800 on a llamas and ice cream event for students.

The UQ Union has come under fire for the “extravagant” budget allocations partly funded by university student services and amenities fees (SSAF) after its internal budget report leaked online.

The 2024 budget included $12,500 for a “C&S Semester 1 Exec Celebration”, $15,000 for a “C&S Exec Boat Party”, $4000 for gender affirmation bursaries, $6800 for an ice cream and llamas event held in May, and $165,000 for a toga party which was cancelled due to wet weather.

A llama at the event

One student who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals said it was “absolutely disgusting” $15,000 had been allocated for a boat party for club and society executives.

“It honestly felt like a huge betrayal,” he said.

The student said the money would be better spent providing improved quality of food for students.

“ … The food the union serve at the moment is pretty terrible,” he said.

“Meanwhile, they’re dumping $15,000 into a boat party for themselves while we’re all struggling to put food on the table.”

The UQU council – a democratically elected body of 23 students – were responsible for approving the budget for UQU executives.

Student and UQU councillor Barclay McGain said the council had reluctantly approved the budget earlier this year after it was told the union would “come to a halt” and access to services would be cut off temporarily for students if it did not.

The llama and ice cream event was run on May 22 at the Great Court, and included prize draws, free ice cream and live llamas for students to interact with.

Mr McGain said in a cost of living crisis, funding the $15,000 boat party, which was yet to happen, and a $6800 llamas and ice cream event was absurd.

“They (UQU) do it genuinely, just because they want to be known for being hip and cool and relatable, they have this kind of desire to be fun,” he said.

An ad for the llamas and ice cream event

“It just seems like they’ve got their priorities all wrong.”

He said funds for the budget came from student fees which were added to students’ HECS debt in most cases.

“There’s also a $4000 gender affirmation bursary in the (budget) report to essentially fund students to transition their gender, but for a lot of students, that actually goes against their religious beliefs and their faith, and I just think it’s so wrong they’re being forced to fund that,” he said.

An upcoming UQU council meeting will be held on Thursday, with the budget allocation set to be discussed.

UQU president Angus McRae said the boat party was being organised for leaders of the uni’s various clubs and societies.

“The clubs’ boat party is a recognition event for the leaders of our 220-plus clubs, who dedicate countless volunteering hours to enhancing the campus experience for all students,” he said.

Barclay McGain from the University of Queensland

“This event has not yet been held in 2024. The target audience are clubs and societies executives and committee members (approximately 2500-plus students).”

Mr McRae said the llamas and ice cream initiative was part of UQU’s continuous efforts to support student mental health by providing a fun and relaxing break from studies, organised by the union’s student advocacy and support team across multiple campuses.

“Our union remains committed to supporting our student community through a variety of events and initiatives, always upholding the highest standards of safety, transparency, and inclusivity,” he said.

A UQ spokeswoman said the university had a robust SSAF management framework which sets out the processes for the allocation, expenditure, acquittal, and reporting of SSAF funding.

“The UQU’s 2024 SSAF proposal and approved budget contained specific details for each of the 300-plus items funded and how they would support students,” they said,

“Overall expenditure reflected the priority areas for student support identified in the 2023 SSAF student survey – health and welfare, food and drink, careers and accommodation.”

The Spokeswoman said the SSAF advisory group were satisfied with the union’s mid-year budget review.